He's playing in Russia because the Oilers wanted him to. The Sarnia Sting want him to play for them and are causing a fuss. You should do a bit more research.

Well, maybe the Oilers should have followed proper protocol. And also reading Yakupov's dad pipe us in saying he would refuse to play for Sarnia irks me a bit.

If a player played in Juniors and doesn't make the NHL team, he should go back to the junior team as that is who holds his rights until he is 20. Just because he signed an NHL contract doesn't exempt him from those rules. Murray had no issue going back to Everett. No other CHL player had issues with going back to their team.

From the article I have posted below:

"The case is unique because the Russian was drafted as a North American-based player. He signed an entry-level deal with the Oilers over the summer and those contracts include a clause that states CHL-eligible players may only appear in that league or the NHL."